Asad Shafiq and Younis Khan struck centuries on Friday to carry Pakistan to 340-6 and a 12-run lead against England after the tourists dominated the second day of the fourth test.
Shafiq, who got a pair in Pakistan’s third-test loss, made 109 and Younis finally came good after struggling in the last three tests to hit an unbeaten 101.
Chris Woakes hit back late with the second new ball when he dismissed captain Misbah-ul-Haq and newcomer Iftikhar Ahmed in one over but Pakistan still threatens to build a big lead.
Woakes stretched his wicket tally to 25 in the series, a record by an Englishmen in a four-test series against Pakistan.
Shafiq was promoted up to number four after he registered a pair in the last Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham. He achieved the milestone in 164 balls at a strike rate of 61.
Coming out to bat when the tourists were two down for 52 in the first session on Friday, Shafiq hit 12 fours and two sixes.
Veteran batsman Younis Khan, whose inclusion in the playing XI for the ongoing Test was widely questioned, scored his career’s 32nd century.
Earlier, Pakistan were three down for 196 at Tea on day two of the fourth Test against England at The Oval after the tourists scored 99 runs at a loss of one wicket in the second session.
Azhar Ali, who opened the innings on day one for Pakistan, fell in Moeen Ali’s fourth over of the innings as wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow caught Azhar off glove.
The right-handed batsman hit nine fours for his 113-ball 49.
Alex Hales and Steven Finn put down two easy chances.
Hales, who was dismissed after Yasir took a blinder at mid-wicket, dropped the leg-spinner at backward point. While Finn put down a return catch of his own bowling right after drinks.
Misbah-ul-Haq’s men began day two on the score of three with one wicket down.
Sami Aslam, who scored all of Pakistan’s runs yesterday, was trapped in front of stumps by English pacer Stuart Broad in the second over of the innings after England were rolled out for 328 runs.
A 97-run stand for sixth wicket between Jonny Bairstow (55) and Ali (108) brought Alastair Cook’s men back in the game after they had received blows during the first session.
Returning to the playing XI after being rested during Edgbaston Test, Wahab Riaz picked up Joe Root (26) and James Vince (1) before Lunch. His final wicket came right in the start of the second session as he induced an edge from Gary Ballance’s bat to be held by Azhar.
Denied an opportunity to score a century at Edgbaston as Cook declared when Ali was batting on 86, the left-hander put up a strong resistance after Mohammad Amir took his second wicket to dismiss Bairstow.
The all-rounder brought up his career’s third century with a towering six at cow corner when he charged down the wicket against Yasir.
Pakistan’s Sohail Khan continued to take wickets at the regular intervals and completed his second five wicket haul in his second Test on the tour when he got Ali out.
The right-arm fast-bowler returned the innings figures of five for 68 in 20.4-overs.
It was a marvelous innings by Younas Khan, he played like a responsible batsman. His presence in batting line up would be a big stress relieve for Misbah. Pakistan Test cricket future would be in serious jeopardy if Selectors can't find replacement for Misbah and Younas in near future.
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